Date:         Tue, 29 Mar 1994 16:22:38 EST
Reply-To: dionisio@INFINET.COM
Subject:      Pharmacy for AIDS patients in N.Y.

PHARMACY DEDICATED TO AIDS PATIENTS OPENS IN N.Y.

    By Gail Fitzer-Schiller

    NEW YORK (Reuter) (3-23-94) - New York got its first pharmacy dedicated
especially to providing medicines and services to AIDS patients Wednesday,
becoming one of the first cities in the United States to offer such a
facility.

    Last year, a similar specialty pharmacy for people with AIDS opened in
San Franciso.

    New York's pharmacy opened in Chelsea -- a neighborhood that is
predominantly gay.

    ``We see this as a very, very positive move in providing services to
people with AIDS in New York," said Ronald Johnson, citywide coordinator
for AIDS policy. ``We certainly welcome the addition of this pharmacy to
the city."

    The store is sponsored by American Preferred Prescription (APP), a
Farmingdale, N.Y., company that provides mail-order prescription services
for people with AIDS.  APP said its pharmacy will be staffed with
pharmacists trained in HIV medication and workers sympathetic to the needs
and concerns of HIV patients.

    The APP pharmacy will also provide customers with the latest
information on AIDS clinical trials, medications and treatment on in-store
computers, APP said.

    APP president Ellie Adiel said another advantage of the pharmacy is
that it will have full inventory at all times of all drugs prescribed for
HIV infection and AIDS.

    ``Patients can always rely on us having what they need. We have a
staff that is HIV sensitive and very deeply involved in the community.

    ``And we are very protective of the privacy of every single person
that walks in here. There is no lack of dignity and there is total
respect," Adiel told Reuters.

    APP said it will dedicate a portion of the store to the 1994 Gay
Games, an athletic competition for gay men and women that will be held in
New York City this year.

    Jay Hill, executive director of the Gay Games, cut the ribbon on the
new pharmacy.

    Adiel said there are probably thousands of HIV positive New Yorkers
right in the Chelsea area who could benefit from the pharmacy. She called
the pharmacy's prospects for success ``very promising".

    ``People are glad to see us. They've heard of us before. We do expect
a warm reception to continue."